Clinton Fiscal Court held its regular monthly meeting last Thursday, March 21, with all magistrates present and several items of business being voted on, including an increase in pay for county employees.
Approximately two-thirds of the total 40 minute meeting was held in closed session at the end of the meeting.
The court first acknowledged receiving the treasurer’s report and on a motion by Magistrate Gary Ferguson, approved the monthly report.
A trio of cash transfers, which also included the monthly payroll, were approved on separate motions. The transfers totaled $57,000, all from the Occupational Tax Fund account.
Magistrate Jason Pitman made a motion to approve a $30,000 transfer to the jail checking account; Magistrate Terry Buster made a motion to transfer $25,000 to the general fund checking account; and, Magistrate Ferguson made a motion to transfer $2,000 to the DES checking account. All motions passed by unanimous vote.
Then on a motion by Magistrate Pitman, the court voted unanimously to pay the monthly claims and bills and on a motion by Magistrate Mickey Riddle, approved second and final reading of a current 2023-24 fiscal year budget amendment.
Randy Jones, Tax Administrator in the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office ,then presented the county a check for $14,484.47 for the sheriff’s 2023 tax settlement. A motion was made by Magistrate Buster to accept the sheriff’s tax settlement, which passed unanimously.
Judge/Executive Ricky Craig then informed the court the Tourism Board had submitted the name of a member they wished to be re-appointed to that board, that being Junior Cecil.
Magistrate Tony Delk made the motion to re-appoint Cecil to the Clinton County Tourism Board for another term, with the motion passing unanimously.
After a brief discussion, the court voted 6-0 to purchase a transportation van for the Clinton County Jail.
The vehicle is a 2021 Chrysler Voyager from Don Franklin, at a cost of $25,802.00, including the warranty cost of $2,902.00.
Clinton County Jailer Bruce Stearns had previously approached the court about the need for a new vehicle to transport inmates back and forth to out-of-county detention facilities, noting the old vehicle was getting worn out.
On a recommendation by Judge Craig, the court voted unanimously, on a motion by Magistrate Riddle, to employee Noah Stockton as full-time Occupational Tax Administrator (OTA).
Stockton had been serving in that position after being hired as part-time OTA a couple of months ago.
The court then voted unanimously to alter and add to the title of Administrative Assistant Kelly Abston to that of Finance Office/Administrative Assistant in the county judge’s office.
The court then dealt with the issue of county employee pay increases for the upcoming fiscal year. It begins with the July pay period, running through June of 2025.
Judge Craig recommended giving all county employees a $1 per hour across the board pay hike for the year.
County Treasurer Cindy Thrasher noted a stipulation was needed that the pay raise would include all employees who were hired before July 1, 2023 and had worked at least one day by that date.
Thrasher also noted the new pay raise would be reflected on employees’ first full pay check beginning in July of this year.
Magistrate Delk made the motion to grant the $1 an hour pay hike to county employees, with the stipulation included, which passed by unanimous vote.
Jailer Bruce Stearns then gave a brief update, noting that with warmer weather now near, inmates have begun collecting trash along county roadways.
The jailer said in the past month, inmates had worked on two county roads, picking up 28 bags of trash. He also said the jail had 26 new intakes during the month.
Judge Craig then made a presentation of appreciation to Tyson officials, Tim Esslinger and Magistrate Tony Delk. (See photo elsewhere).
The county judge noted the hard work and commitment the Tyson officials had made to the county and community at-large.
Following the presentation, the court entered into an approximate 27 minute closed session on personnel. No action was taken upon returning to open session. Also, there was no action taken after the session was over.
There was no other business to be discussed and the meeting was adjourned.
The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, at 5 p.m.